Throughout
the course of development in 35mm SLR photography, it was quite seldom to see an
optical lense can commands such kind influential status which actually can alter
a broad scale perception towards a general belief as most people categorized zoom
lenses were simply a bunch of photographic lenses designed strictly for amateuristic
use and they were compromised with optical quality.... The Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/4.5
introduced in December, 1969 changed (or at least have inspired others to re-think)
all those initial thoughts ! Its timely introduction at the time was just barely
a few months after Nikon introduced their revised version of the decade-old Auto-Nikkor
Telephoto Zoom 1:4 f=8.5cm~1:4.5 f=25cm Nippon Kogaku variable aperture zoom with a renamed, slightly faster
Zoom-Nikkor
Auto 1:4 f=85mm~ f=250mm lense
which now given a constant aperture of f/4.0 throughout its entire zoom range. The
old Nikkor zoom is reputed as the world's second zoom in 35mm SLR photography and
it was also Nikon's first zoom lense.

So, by stating the 80-200mm zoom was an immediate successor to the 85-250mm zoom
might be a little bit too conclusive because you don't simply replace an equivalent
lense-type within such a short span of time. But since both are typical telephoto
zooms-type which seemingly have an overlapping focal length, one would expect the
longer 85-250mm zoom will easily outsold a shorter focal length zoom in a shorter
80-200mm focal length range (added the fact the 85-250mm has a slightly faster maximum
lens speed than the f/4.0 80-200mm zoom); instead - the birth of this 80-200mm Zoom-Nikkor
landmarked an important footprint in the history of lens development for 35mm SLR
photography. Why ? Well, this legendary Nikkor tele-zoom was the sixth zoom lense
introduced by Nikon (if we include the revised 85-250mm introduced in September,
1969 and the prototype Auto Nikkor wide-zoom 1:2.8 f=3.5cm~1:4 f=8.5cm lense into the count). At the time,
the Zoom-Nikkor
43-86mm f/3.5 Auto
has been selling exceptionally well in numbers since its inception in 1963 (Believe
it or not, even up to the early eighties, it was still widely recognized as the world's
best selling zoom!).

The encouraging
sales response of the 43-86mm has probably inspired Nikon to re-think viability of
providing another tele-zoom instead of putting a wideangle zoom on their priority
list as those days, high quality wideangle zoom was indeed very difficult to design
and manufactured according to exacting designing spec. (Incidentally, the first wideangle-zoom
in 35mm SLR photography reaching a true 28mm wideangle view, Zoom-Nikkor 28-45mm f/4.5 was only being
introduced in August, 1975). Anyway, for whatever the reasons, somehow the focal
length of 80-200mm, a moderate maximum lens speed of f/4.5 with an one-touch sliding
zoom design has been chosen as the basic framework for the tele-vario zoom and -
It
was a killer.

Basically,
its immense popularity can be summarized down to a few facts where, other than an
ingenious optical design that provides excellent image definition across its entire
zoom range, its silky smooth single pull & push zoom/focusing ring provides a
new level of lens handling experience in tele-zoom photography (Among the first six
Nikkor zooms that went into production, 50-300mm f/4.5~f/22 Zoom-Nikkor Auto uses a dual rings
design); further, unlike the bulkier 85-250mm lense, its unique telephoto-type design
has considerably reduced both the size and weight of the lens, making it compact
enough to be highly portable but more importantly, it was quite affordable in its
price. The lense has an attachment size of standard 52mm which makes photographers
be able to share many standard lens accessories Perhaps, initial favorable lens reviews
may have also enhanced its appeal to not just among amateurs and serious hobbyists
but even for professional users as well. There is no doubt good introduction of the
affordable Nikkor 43-86mm zoom earlier has helped in a way for many Nikon photographers
to realize convenience of a typical zoom lense can provide in their photography.
So, when the tele-zoom was introduced, its carefully schemed focal length of 80-200mm
was like a natural extension to the 43-86mm. The temptation of a flexible zoom lense
that can replace a series of popular medium to telephoto range from 85mm, 105mm,
135mm, 180mm to 200mm was hard to resist, adding the advantage optically, this lense
presents an above-average performance for a zoom lense type. Naturally, since it
was a product of 30 years ago, it is simply unfair if we use performance of some
specific high performance modern Nikkor zoom lenses as a yardstick to measure its
overall performance but at the time of its introduction, it was a hit.

Non-Ai
Zoom Nikkor Auto 1:4.5
f=80mm~f=200mm
lense

The original
version is a compact, lightweight zoom lens which is about the same length as (but
a little heavier than) the 200mm Nikkor Auto lens. It is easy to hold and balances
well for handheld shots.

The 2.5X zooming
range covers the critical focal lengths of medium telephoto lenses most frequently
used in photojournalism and general photography. This flexible zoom range has a picture
coverage from 30°10' (f=80mm) - 12°20' (f=200mm) makes it an excellent choice
for newspaper, magazine, industrial and commercial photographers. Other than that,
it is equally an useful lens for travel, candids, portraiture, landscape and leisure
photography.

An added convenience
is its use of standard 52mm filters. Zooming and focusing may be accomplished singly
or simultaneously with the linear travel and rotation of the lens sleeve. Instant
response to fast moving subjects is an outstanding feature of this lens via its one
touch zoom design adopted from the 43-86mm zoom. This Nikkor zoom has a large easily-gripped
collar for adjusting both the focusing and zooming. At the center is a solid silver-colour
all-chrome lens mounting ring. The texture of the focusing/zoom grip is an older
Nikkor small diamond-shape design.

The scalloped aperture
ring has indicative colourful apertures in blue (f/32), yellow (f/22), pink (f/16),
brown (f/11) and green for maximum aperture at f/4.5. The colours correspond with
the depth of field index that engraved on the lens barrel which makes the lens very
colourful and attractive. An infrared index in red is also provided that marked along
the depth of field indexes.

Five focal lengths reference markings are indicated at the side on the lens barrel
for the convenience of the photographer (80mm, 90mm, 105mm, 135mm and 200mm). The
lens aperture was designed to stopped down to a minimum aperture of f/32 where it
provides photographers with a wider selection in depth of field control. Other than
that, this zoom lens also excels in closest focusing distance - a mere 1.8m (6 ft)
- which is a great advantage as one of its many applications in which the photographer
can compose images freely in rapid succession at close range. The built quality of
the lense is simply excellent with this early non-Ai version, solid and you can feel
when you hold it in your hand. Those days, this lense was often used by photographers,
mounted on the Nikon camera fitted with motor drive and using a pistol grip to shoot
(looked like a US Rambo at work...).

This earliest
version may have bear with an older name "Nippon Kogaku"; I am not sure
whether any version that used indicative focal length in "cm" instead of
"mm" existed thus far but even if it has, I think most have reverted back
to use "Nikon" subsequently. Some intermediate versions introduced during
first quarter of '70 have an indicative "C" at the lens data section which signifies
improved lens coating was applied
(see a contributing image at left hand side).

During this
period, with the help of media professional who often have the chances of displaying
their works in publications, the lens has received rave reviews for its outstanding
sharpness. The first major revision which involved changing physical appearance of
this zoom happened in 1975.

|NEXT |
The subsequent non-Ai version and few early versions of this Ai Nikkor zoom that
were introduced between 1975-1981 1/4

Credit: MCLau®, who has helped to rewrite
some of the content appeared this site. Chuck Hester® who has been helping
me all along with the development of all these Nikon websites;LarsHolst Hansen, 'Hawkeye'
who shares the same passion I have; Ms Rissa, Sales manager
from Nikon Corporation Malaysia for granting permission to use some of the official
content; TedWengelaar,Holland
who
has helped to provide many useful input relating to older Nikkor lenses; Some of the references
on production serial numbers used in this site were extracted from Roland Vink's website; HiuraShinsaku from Nikomat
Club Japan. Lastly,
to all the good people who has contributed their own expeience, resources or kind
enough granted permission to use their images of their respective optic in this site.
It is also a site to remember a long
lost friend
on the Net.Note:certain content and
images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets
& brochures published by Nikon and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality
of their work for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible
for may discrepancies arise from such dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu
KK"
& "Nikkor" are registered
tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Site made with an Apple IMac.